rules - Why are forfeits in baseball scored as 9-0? - Sports Stack Exchange Why are forfeits in baseball scored as 9-0? up vote 14 down vote accepted Wikipedia says, "In the event of forfeiture, the score is recorded as "9 to 0", as per rule 2.00 of the Major League Baseball Rules Book." The major league rules (page 16) state, "A FORFEITED GAME is a game declared ended by the umpire-in-chief in favor of the offended team by the score of 9 to 0, for violation of the rules." As for the number 9 - it seems to relate to the number of scheduled innings played out in a professional standard 9 inning game. For softball and little league, for example, the score would be 7-0 since those games schedule only 7 innings of play. I also found something that said that in the event that the forfeiting team is trailing in the score, the score will remain as-is. So, if the team that had to forfeit was behind, say 5-1 - the final score would be recorded as 5-1.

I believe the "9-0" score is the rule for games that are forfeited and never begin playing out or where the score is tied. Bay State Baseball - Tournament of Champions - Massachusetts All Stars League Baseball Bay State Baseball Tournament of Champions PLAYING RULES 1.0 OFFICIAL RULES Playing rules as specified in the official Little League, Inc. rule book for the current season shall govern the conduct of all games except as noted herein. Only 9 defensive players allowed on the field, and only 9 spots are allowed in the batting order. No extra hitter (EH) or designated hitter (DH) is to be used. 2.0 UNIFORMS All players shall be dressed in full uniform. A uniform is defined as a team cap, shirt, pants and stockings. 3.0 GETTING THE GAME STARTED, LATE ARRIVALS Umpires are obliged to start games on time. Teams that arrive early for the game shall have equitable on-field warm up time not to extend beyond the official starting time. Teams that arrive after the official starting time shall have no on-field warm up time and are expected to start the game as quickly as possible.

Prior to all Bay State Baseball games, the managers and umpires should have a meeting at home plate, requiring managers to clarify pitching eligibility for the game. This should include pitching for both teams and eliminate any possible violations during the game. 4.0 SUBSTITUTIONS 4.1 Every player listed on a particular GAME roster and ready to play MUST play a minimum of 3 complete innings including, at minimum, one time plate appearance. A. Complete” means, that players who have not played in the first three innings MUST be entered into the opposing coach’s and/or the official scorer’s score book before the first pitch of the fourth inning and play in the entire fourth, fifth and sixth innings. B. Players must play their three complete innings (defined as playing the top and bottom of the same inning) during the first six innings of a game. C. “Complete” also means that a player entering the game for the first time, on offense or defense, during an incomplete inning shall complete the inning and then be required to play at least the following three complete innings. Example 1: BILL enters the game for the first time as a pinch hitter after the second inning has started.

BILL must play the remainder of the second inning and then at least all of the third, fourth and fifth innings. Example 2: JIM enters the game for the first time as a substitute fielder (maybe as a right fielder or a relief pitcher) after the third inning has started. Jim must play the remainder of the third inning and then all of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Unless a batter is the ‘pinch-hitter’ to start the top half of an inning they must play 3 FULL innings in addition to the one they ‘pinch-hit’ for; should they not finish out the full inning, it does not count as an official inning played. Example 3 (Suggested): This is the 3-3 substitution strategy for platooning players. PETER plays for 3 innings. He is therefore guaranteed to have his one at-bat and his 3 defensive innings. BRIAN substitutes for Peter at the top of the 4th inning. 4.2 Should a player be removed from the game before completing their playing requirements for injury or illness, the opposing coach must be informed of such.

Thus, if said player recovers sufficiently later in the game, and can still fulfill his/her playing requirements, he/she may return to the game. He/she cannot return to the game if they would, in the course of a normal game, be unable to fulfill said playing requirements 4.3 There will be no special or free pinch runners allowed. Once a player comes in as a pinch runner, he/she is now officially in (or back in) the game and must comply with the substitution rules listed herein. 5.0 RE-SUBSTITUTION 5.1 Any player, be it a starter or a substitute, may re-enter the game one time only. 5.2 A RE-ENTERING PLAYER for a STARTING PLAYER: A player in the starting lineup who has been removed for a substitute for any reason may re-enter the game for another starting player, in any position in the batting order, provided the substitute (that entered for the starting player about to re-enter): 1) shall have batted at least once before the re-entering player comes to bat and 2) shall have played defensively for a minimum of 6 outs. Example 4: BILL is a starter and has been removed from the lineup for the substitute ED.

The game has progressed and ED has played in the field for 6 defensive outs but has yet to bat. His team, however, is about to come to bat, and ED will be second up and followed by Joe, a starter. The coach now has his first opportunity to put BILL back into the lineup. Since ED (a substitute) must bat before BILL can re-enter the game, BILL can substitute for Joe or any other starter in the lineup after ED. Example 5: BILL is a starter and has been removed from the lineup for the substitute ED. ED bats in an inning before he has been in the field for 6 defensive outs. BILL is only eligible to enter the game for any starter as soon as ED has his 6 defensive outs. Example 6 (Suggested): This is the “2-2-2” substitution strategy to allow 3 players to play 4 innings. PETER and STEVE start the game. At the top of the 3rd inning, BILL substitutes into the game for PETER. Assuming that BILL bats in the 3rd or 4th innings, PETER substitutes in for STEVE at the top of the 5th inning. PETER must bat once in the game.

5.3 A RE-ENTERING PLAYER for a SUBSTITUTE PLAYER: A starter or substitute may re-enter the game after being removed for a substitute if the substitute has played three complete innings and has fulfilled rest/batting order rules. See 4.0 SUBSTITUTIONS, 4.1.A, B, C for the definition of “complete”. 6.0 PITCHING RULES AND ELIGIBILITY The maximum innings pitched per week, per pitcher is as follows. The pitching week is Monday thru Sunday. Division D 7 6.1 If a pitcher pitches 3 or less innings in a game, he/she MUST have one calendar day rest. If he/she pitches 4 or more innings in a game, he/she MUST have 3 calendar days rest. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 6 innings during any game. Throwing one pitch in an inning constitutes pitching the entire inning. A pitcher removed from pitching in a game shall not pitch again in the game. 6.2 The Pitching Eligibility Rules continue without change from one round of games just finished to the next round of games about to start. Under no circumstances shall a pitcher be allowed to pitch on two consecutive days.

There is one circumstance where a pitcher may appear to be pitching on two consecutive days - see: 11.0 OFFICIAL GAMES; 11.2. 6.3 A violation of the Pitching Eligibility Rules constitutes a forfeit of the game in which the violation took place. 6.4 The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a subsequent pitch is delivered, but before the player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall not be considered a violation. The new pitcher must pitch to one batter, to completion, upon entrance. 6.5 No player will be allowed to pitch in two separate games on the same calendar day. 6.6 A “Calendar day” is defined as a full day on the calendar in which a player is ineligible to pitch. It does not mean that a player can rest for 24 hours and then be eligible (ie – pitch in the morning on Saturday and the afternoon/evening on Sunday). The sole exception is detailed in 11.0 OFFICIAL GAMES; 11.2. 6.7 The Little League pitch count program will not be implemented by Bay State Baseball.

6.8 The Little League rule which states a player cannot move from pitcher to catcher in the same game will not be utilized by Bay State Baseball. 6.9 The Little League rule which states a dropped third strike may allow for batter advancement will be utilized at the A-70, A-60 and B Division levels, but not at the C or D levels. 6.10 The “automatic” intentional walk is not allowed. If a pitcher wishes to intentionally walk a batter, he/she must do so by pitching four pitches intentionally outside the strike zone that are not struck at by the batter and are called “balls” by the umpire. Catcher must be in the catcher’s box when the pitch is delivered. 7.0 TRIPS TO THE MOUND A pitcher MUST be removed from the mound on the second trip to the mound by any coach during an inning or on the third trip to the mound by any coach during a game. A “trip” is defined in the following manner: 1. Any time an umpire calls time out so that any of the coaches may confer with the pitcher either at the mound or along the foul line. 2.

Any time an umpire calls time out so that any of the coaches may confer with any player who subsequently confers with the pitcher before the pitcher delivers another pitch. 8.0 ILLEGAL BATS All bats MUST be in compliance with current Little League (Williamsport) or Cal Ripken baseball rules, be they wood, metal or composite. An illegal bat MUST be removed from the game immediately when discovered by an umpire. 8.1 The batter using an illegal bat shall be called out on appeal. The opposing manager may request that the umpire inspect any bats in use during the game. 8.2 No advancement on the bases will be allowed and any out or outs made during a play involving an illegal bat shall stand. 8.3 Slash bunting is allowed (i.e. it is not illegal) and will not be penalized by Bay State Baseball. No side deals will be allowed between coaches. 9.0 COLLISION RULE/SLIDING RULES 9.1 A runner MUST avoid a collision with a fielder by attempting to get by the fielder to include sliding.

9.2 If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner deliberately collides with a fielder, the runner shall be ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct and will serve a one-game suspension. 9.3 Fielder obstruction, in the opinion of the umpire, while a runner is trying to avoid a collision is reason to call a runner safe. 9.4 Head-first slides are not allowed (except when returning to a base) and the offending runner shall be called out. Any unintentional stumble/trip, as deemed by the umpire, which results in a runner entering a base headfirst shall not be subject to this rule and its’ penalties. 10.0 MERCY RULE 10.1 The first time the mercy rule can be considered is after 3-1/2 innings. 10.2 If at the beginning of, or at any time during, the bottom half of the 4th or 5th inning the HOME TEAM is leading by at least 10 runs, the game is AUTOMATICALLY ended.

10.3 If the VISITING TEAM is leading by at least 10 runs at the end of 3-1/2, 4-1/2 or 5-1/2 innings, the game continues, and the inning is completed. If at the end of the 4th or 5th inning the VISITING TEAM is leading by at least 10 runs, the game is AUTOMATICALLY ended. 11.0 OFFICIAL GAMES 11.1 Games which are shortened by either rain or darkness shall have the score revert back to the last complete inning and declared official if at least 3-1/2 innings have been played with the home team ahead or 4 innings if the visiting team is ahead. The only exception to the rule will be in the event that the home team either ties or takes the lead in the bottom half of an inning which is not completed. In this case (where each team has had an equal number of times at bat) the score shall not revert to the last complete inning, but instead shall stand as played.

11.2 If a game must be called off before the first inning can be completed, the game shall be considered no game, as if the game had never started. All records of the game are dropped, including pitchers and innings pitched. The pitchers are eligible to pitch on the very same day or the very next day. 11.3 If a game must be called off after the completion of the first inning but before it is an official game, the game shall resume from the point it had to stop with teams continuing with the same batting lineup, or as close as possible. The day-to-day pitching rules continue without change - see: 6.0. PITCHING. 11.4 During the Tournament of Champions round at all levels, should a game be stopped after starting but has yet to complete an inning, the game will be suspended and the pitchers of record will be allowed to pitch the following day (assuming they have eligibility remaining). Stoppage of games for weather-related reasons once the game has begun will be done by the umpire in charge; the Bay State official in attendance will determine how long the wait to resume will be before restarting, or suspending said game(s).

11.5 When lightning is seen prior to the start of a game, the home team decides how long to wait before starting; if lightning is seen during a game, it is the umpire’s decision to suspend the game. The delay must last at least 15 minutes (or local rule, whichever is greater) after the last lightning sighting before restarting. Home team and umpire(s) should use best judgment in making any decision to potentially postpone game. 12.0 EXTRA INNINGS - TIED GAMES 12.1 If the score is tied after six innings, play shall continue into extra innings until there is a winner. Local curfew rules (re; lights, start of an inning), are to be followed. 12.2 All playing rules MUST be followed in extra inning games including pitching rules. 12.3 If the umpire must call an official game, as per rule 11.1, and the score is tied, the game shall be considered a tie game. 12.4 Tie games, as per rule 11.1, shall be considered final and the teams shall share the available points for said game.

12.5 Trophy Weekend or Tournament of Champions games cannot end in a tie and must be played to conclusion, or as specified in 11.1. Games may be suspended and finished at a later time/date if time allows. If not possible, use tie-breakers to determine winners. 13.0 ADULT COACHES 13.1 A maximum of four adults shall be allowed on the bench during the game; one manager, two coaches and a scorer. 13.2 Adult coaches shall be allowed in the baseline coaches’ boxes. Players are also allowed in the coaching box but must wear helmets when doing so. 14.0 PROTESTS 14.1 HOSTED TROPHY WEEKEND GAMES A. The manager should immediately notify the home plate umpire of the protest. B. The game stops. The manager should clearly explain his basis for the protest, with the Bay State and/or Little League rule book present to reference the claim. Failure to have a copy of either present will not disqualify the protest but presence of such may speed resolution of protest. C. The Division Commissioner or his representative resolves the protest before the game continues. D. The decision is final.

14.2 WEEKDAY GAMES - HOSTED AND UNHOSTED WEEKEND GAMES A. The manager should immediately notify the home plate umpire of the protest. The game stops. The manager should clearly explain his basis for the protest, with the Bay State and/or Little League rule book present to reference the claim. Failure to have a copy of either present will not disqualify the protest but presence of such may speed resolution of protest. B. The complete and detailed status of the game at the point of protest shall be recorded in the home team’s scorebook and signed by the umpire. The game then continues as the umpire rules. C. Within 48 hours, the protester should contact the Division Commissioner, or, if not available, a member of the Board of Directors, to develop an acceptable written protest. D. The Division Commissioner shall resolve the protest, assisted by members of the Board of Directors, if needed. E. The decision is final. 15.0 FORFEITS - RULE VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES 15.1 A forfeited game is a game declared ended in favor of the offended team by the score of 6 to 0, for violation of the rules and regulations.

Forfeits, as determined by the Division Commissioner, shall be dealt with immediately. 15.2 If a team cannot field 9 official roster players within 15 minutes after the designated starting time for the game, or at any time during the game for whatever reason, a forfeit shall be declared. 15.3 If during a game a rule violation (which is a forfeiture offense) occurs, the game is required to end immediately at that point. 15.4 Teams forfeiting games during the Bay State schedule will be subject to the following penalties: Violation Team barred from upcoming Trophy Weekend and TOC * No show and illegal player violations are subject to appeal ** The only exception to the no-show rule is a conflict with a national tournament game 15.5 A second pitching violation during the season under Rule 6.0. would result in the team becoming ineligible for the trophy weekend of said round. The manager would also be subject to increased penalties, based on the severity of the violation. For any pitching violation, the manager will be subject to the penalty (penalties) whether in attendance at the game in question or not.

15.6 Other violations which result in forfeiture will be dealt with by the Board of Directors on a per-case basis. Multiple infractions are subject to increased penalties including being barred from trophy weekends, Tournament of Champions and removal from summer schedule entirely. Division Commissioner and Board of Directors will adjudicate such situations. 15.7 Payment for all penalties can be made via credit card on the Baystatebaseball.com web site and must be made no later than four hours before the next scheduled game to avoid forfeiture. Please consult Divisional Director for further clarification. Teams which forfeit games due to any “No Show” violation are obliged to pay for umpires in any such game if said umpires are not notified in time and are present for the game. Should the fee be outstanding at the end of the current Bay State season, the offending league will be charged for said amount. (See: 19.0. Tournament of Champions Round; 19.1.C) 16.0 CODE OF CONDUCT 16.1 Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents and themselves.

16.2 There shall be no smoking or chewing of tobacco, drinking alcohol or using unlawful substances by anyone on the field and at the team benches. 16.3 If a manager wants to bench a player during a game for disciplinary reasons, he must inform the opposing manager, and he shall also inform the Division Commissioner before the player is eligible to play again. 16.4 If a manager, coach or player is ejected by an umpire or BSBTOC official, they shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in the game. An ejected participant cannot be in sight or hearing distance of the on-going game once ejected and he/she shall not be in attendance at the following game(s) due to suspension (see 16.5). In the event a player is ejected, it is required of the manager to provide responsible supervision off-premises for the ejected player. 16.5 If a manager, coach or player is ejected by an umpire or BSBTOC official: A. First time* - The person shall not take part in the next scheduled game. There is no appeal. B. Second time - The person shall not take part in any games scheduled over the next seven days. An appeal may be made.

C. Third time - The person is suspended for the entire season. An appeal may be made. *Note: Any manager/coach suspended for a game must vacate the premises of said game no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. A violation of this will incur the next level of penalty, a seven-day suspension. Further violation(s) will be subject to additional penalties, to be determined by the Bay State Board of Directors. 16.6 No player shall be allowed to harass opposing players or coaches. Such action shall be cause for ejection. 16.7 Any manager or coach who repeatedly harasses umpires shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors. 16.8 Any team whose parents are abusive to either the umpires, a BSBTOC official or the opposing team shall face disciplinary action by the Board of Directors to include the disqualification of the team for or in the TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS ROUND. 16.9 No disciplinary action shall be taken unless there is a meeting of a disciplinary committee appointed by the president along with all interested parties.

Failure of an interested party to attend a “disciplinary action meeting”, after having been notified, shall not delay any disciplinary action which might be taken by the board as a result of the meeting. 16.10 Any coach suspended/ejected by an official from a game is ineligible to coach at any Bay State Baseball League game at any level until the next contest at the same level he/she was suspended for has/have been completed. 16.11 Processes for reporting ejections - Both managers/coaches involved are required to report any ejection (manager, coach, player or spectator) to their division director and enter it onto the Bay State web site. The umpire involved is required to report the ejection to the umpire-in-chief. 16.12 All organizations shall be reviewed at the end of the season by the Board of Directors. 17.0 TIE BREAKERS (applies only to Trophy Weekends and A-70 seeding) 17.1 TWO WAY TIES 2. Least runs allowed head-to-head, 3. Least runs allowed in qualifying round, 4. Most runs scored in qualifying round, 5. Team names drawn from a hat. 17.2 THREE WAY TIES A.

FOUR TEAM GROUP: 1. Least runs allowed per game (non-forfeited games only) in games between the three tied teams. 2. Most runs scored in games between the three tied teams. 3. Least runs allowed per game (non-forfeited games only) in all games in the qualifying round. 4. Most runs scored in all games in the qualifying round. 5. Team names drawn from a hat. B. FIVE OR MORE TEAM GROUP: 1. Least runs allowed per game (non-forfeited games only) in all games in the qualifying round. 2. Most runs scored in all games in the qualifying round. 3. Team names drawn from a hat. 17.3 FOUR WAY TIES A. FOUR TEAM GROUP: 1. Least runs allowed per game (non-forfeited games only) in games between the four tied teams. 2. Most runs scored in games between the four tied teams. 3. Team names drawn from a hat. B. FIVE OR MORE TEAM GROUP: 1. Least runs allowed per game (non-forfeited games only) in all games in the qualifying round. 2. Most runs scored in all games in the qualifying round. 3.

If only two teams remain tied, just the two tied teams shall start 1.0 TWO WAY TIES. If three teams remain tied, they shall continue to step 4 as steps already considered are the same steps in 2.0 B. 4. Team names drawn from a hat. 17.4 TIE BREAKING PROCEDURES 1. If a given tie breaker does not separate any teams, continue sequentially down the list of tie breakers. 2. Once a procedure singles a team or teams from the others and there are still teams (two or three) to be separated, they are subject immediately to their specific tie breaker (17.1 TWO WAY TIES or 17.2 THREE WAY TIES respectively). Note however, if one step clearly identifies the highest or lowest ranked team, further tie breaking steps will not affect this result. 3. If a tie breaker clearly separates all teams, no further tie breaking steps are required. 4. Though a game that becomes a forfeit after the conclusion of play will be recorded as 6-0 win, runs allowed in the game will be used for tie-breaker purposes.

Approved Ruling: A team loses a game on the field 4-3 but is awarded the win after a pitching violation is discovered. The game is now a win for them but they will be charged with allowing 3 runs in 6 innings played. 5. The board of directors reserves the right to alter these procedures when it is deemed to be in the best interests of the league. The decision will be final. 18.0 POOR WEATHER VS ROUND CONCLUSION If poor weather interferes with the successful conclusion of any round within the time period schedule for that round, the established tie breaking system may be used to select teams for the finals or to even create a champion, if necessary. 19.0 TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS ROUND 19.1 PARTICIPANTS AND FORMAT A. The Board of Directors has the right to alter any or all of the following TOC guidelines in order to, in its opinion, fairly handle unique situations. B. Teams cited for parent abuse (see: CODE OF CONDUCT; 16.8 shall not qualify for the Tournament of Champions Round. An appeal may be made. C.

Any team which forfeits a TOC game (during the championship week competition) will be charged the appropriate forfeiture fee and will bring their entire program’s participation placed under review. D. For the A-60, B, C and D Divisions, a maximum of 8 teams shall qualify for the championship round. For the A-70 Division a minimum of 4 teams shall qualify for the championship round with exact format to be determined. E. For the A-60, B, C and D Divisions, the championship round will have the eight qualified teams playing in a modified double-elimination format. All games would be at a neutral site (underlined team would function as home team for game purposes). All games aside of Game 1-6 would see the loser eliminated. Tuesday (1) Seed 1 vs. Seed 8 (2) Seed 4 vs. Seed 5 (3) Seed 2 vs. Seed 7 (4) Seed 3 vs. Seed 6 Wednesday (5) Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 (Highest seed hosts) (6) Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 (Highest seed hosts) (7) Loser Game 1 vs.

Loser Game 2 (Highest seed hosts) (8) Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (Highest seed hosts) Thursday (9) Loser Game 5 vs. Winner Game 8 (Highest seed hosts) (10) Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 7 (Highest seed hosts) Saturday - (11) Highest-seeded 2-0 team (Winner 5/6) vs. Lowest-seeded 2-1 team (Winner 9/10) (12) Lowest-seeded 2-0 team (Winner 5/6) vs. Highest-seeded 2-1 team (Winner 9/10) Sunday - (13) Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 (Host team would be the team with the better TOC record; if both have same TOC record, the higher-seeded team hosts) Note: A-60 and B Division games would be at different sites on Tuesday and Wednesday but at one site on Thursday. G.

If the semifinal or final game(s) cannot be played on the originally scheduled Saturday and/or Sunday (due to weather or other-related reasons), there will be no extension of the pitching week beyond the originally scheduled dates. Therefore, any games played after the originally scheduled game on Saturday/Sunday will be treated as played on that Saturday/Sunday. H. In the A-70, A-60, B and C Divisions, the maximum number of innings a player can pitch is 9 innings. In the D Division, the maximum number of innings a player can pitch is 7 innings. All normal rest rules apply to all pitchers. 19.2 SEEDING FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND Seeding for divisions as follows: A-60, B, C and D Divisions Teams shall accrue points over the course of the entire season schedule, from rounds 1-2. For each victory (a tie will receive half of the allotted point{s} for the game) and achievement teams will be awarded a certain point total. These will be based upon achievement and level of play. See chart below for point breakdowns.

Round 4 (TW stands for Trophy Weekend) At the end of 2 rounds of play (including Trophy Weekends), point totals shall be tallied and the top 8 teams will advance to the Tournament of Champions. Ties in points (within the top 8, or between teams tied for seed 8 or lower) will be broken by: Upper Division points in Round 2 (including points won in Trophy Weekend). Upper Division Trophies won Head to head during the season, with fewest runs allowed the determining factor if teams split. Coin toss. 19.3 AUTHORIZED AWARDS Only trophies and awards officially authorized by the Bay State Tournament of Champions shall be given out after the championship games. The following trophies will be awarded for display in their clubhouse, town hall, or wherever the team(s) deem appropriate and must be returned before the start of the following season; the Don Soule Cup (A-60 Division Champion), the Don McGowan Cup (B Division Champion) and the Tom Wright Cup (C Division Champion). 20.0 A-70 DIVISION SPECIAL RULES FIELDS Each team must have a home field available. Exceptions may be considered on a per-case basis.

If fenced outfield, the distance must be at least 200 feet, preferably more. Unfenced fields will be allowed. Bay State Baseball reserves the right to visit a proposed field prior to entrance into the A-70 Division. Portable pitching mounds and ‘skin’ fields allowed. ROSTERS Six inning games with extra innings if necessary. 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot bases. No bat restrictions. Full baseball rules in use, including leading off, pitching from stretch, balks and batter advancement on dropped third strikes. An Extra Hitter option is allowed. A tenth player may be added by a team as an extra hitter. This player may substitute for any player in the field, but he/she must remain in the same position in the batting order. The use of a tenth player is optional for each team on a game by game basis. Should a team start with ten players in its order, it must finish with ten. The only exception to this is if a player is injured or must depart early (either by choice or by ejection) and the team does not have ten eligible players available, it may play with nine.

Should a team select to use only nine (9) players in a given game, a tenth player spot cannot be added during the game. Should a team use a tenth player for a given game, the manager employing the tenth player must include the tenth player in his lineup as exchanged with the opposing manager prior to the start of the game. Teams may use a universal batting order, utilizing all game-day players, and having all players eligible to enter and depart defensively at any time. Managers are responsible for ensuring that all players are in the field for at least two (2) defensive innings (see G). Re-entry rule (in 9 or 10-player lineups): Starters may re-enter in the same offensive spot once. Substitutes cannot re-enter the game once they have been removed. Mandatory play rules; each player must play at least two (2) innings in the field and have one (1) plate appearance. Both teams do NOT have to use the same lineup format in a game; ie – teams can chose from 9-player, 10-player (with EH) or universal batting orders regardless of what the opposition chooses to use. Courtesy runner allowed for the catcher and pitcher of record only at any time.

This is not a substitution and is optional. Courtesy runners cannot be in the current lineup; or in the case of a universal order being used, they must be player(s) who have not been used in said role already during that inning. Must slide /avoid contact rule. A player must slide or attempt to avoid contact on all close plays (umpire’s discretion). Regular Bay State mercy rules are in effect. PITCHING RULES Full baseball rules apply, including holding runners on base from stretch and balks. Balks will be called following Major League rules. There will be no warnings given to pitchers. Any pitcher can re-enter as a pitcher as long as he/she stays in the lineup. Once removed from the lineup, the pitcher may re-enter the game defensively, but not as a pitcher. Pitchers-eligibility rules will run concurrently with Bay State A-60 and B Division pitching. In other words, ALL innings will count for the pitcher and will be part of their innings limit (9 innings per week if only on a A-70 roster OR concurrently on an A-60 or B Division roster) and rest day rules will also apply.

Pitchers will be limited to six innings in a day, even if more than one game is played that day. 20.5 FORMAT The A-70 Division will consist of a 15-game schedule with at least the top four teams (as determined by normal Bay State Baseball tie-breaking rules, if necessary) advancing to the playoffs. MISCELLANIOUS All scores and pitching must be entered within 24 hours on the Bay State Baseball website according to normal procedures. The winning team is responsible to input the final score and pitching information for BOTH teams. Any rules/procedures not covered above will default to Bay State Baseball rules, as normally applied. This includes, but is not limited to, forfeitures; score/pitching postings, tips to the mound and rescheduling. Game schedules may be altered, with agreement of both teams and Bay State Baseball. Listed home team is responsible for payment to umpires.

[ edit ] Grounds for Forfeit According to Major League Rule 4.15 , the umpire may call a forfeit when a team: (a) Fails to appear upon the field, or being upon the field, refuses to start play within five minutes after the umpire has called "Play" at the appointed hour for beginning the game, unless such delayed appearance is, in the umpire's judgment, unavoidable (b) Employs tactics palpably designed to delay or shorten the game (c) Refuses to continue play during a game unless the game has been suspended or terminated by the umpire (d) Fails to resume play, after a suspension, within one minute after the umpire has called "Play" (e) After warning by the umpire, willfully and persistently violates any rules of the game (f) Fails to obey within a reasonable time the umpire's order for removal of a player from the game (g) Fails to appear for the second game of a doubleheader within twenty minutes after the close of the first game unless the umpire in chief of the first game shall have extended the time of the intermission.

A game may also be forfeited if the home team fails to follow the umpire's instructions for bringing the field into proper condition after an interruption (Rule 4.16). This may be because the home team refuses to prepare the field properly after a weather delay or because it is unable to clear fans or objects from the field within a reasonable time. Finally, a team may be forced to forfeit a game if they are unwilling or unable to field a full 9 players (Rule 4.17). [ edit ] Scoring Forfeit games have several interesting scoring quirks. Like other called games, players are credited with their statistics for the game if enough of the game had been played for it to count as an official game . If the team credited with the win was leading at the time of the forfeit, the pitchers are credited with a win or loss exactly as they would be in any other called game. If the forfeiting team was ahead at the time that the game was called, no pitcher is credited with a win or loss. All forfeits are officially listed as 9-0 victories for the team that benefits from the forfeit, regardless of the actual status of the game.

[ edit ] Historical Forfeits Forfeits were far more common in the early days of the game than they are today. Some seasons in the 19th Century saw 10 or more forfeits, with as many as 13 in 1884 . It was routine to have several forfeits each season through the rowdy 1880s and 1890s . They remained an annual event through the Deadball Era and became less common after. Forfeits became extremely rare after World War II , with just 7 since 1945 . Forfeited Game Rules for Little League Baseball | LIVESTRONG.COM Forfeited Game Rules for Little League Baseball by BEVERLY BIRD Last Updated: Jan 28, 2015 Beverly Bird Beverly Bird has been writing professionally since 1983. She is the author of several novels including the bestselling "Comes the Rain" and "With Every Breath." Bird also has extensive experience as a paralegal, primarily in the areas of divorce and family law, bankruptcy and estate law. She covers many legal topics in her articles.

Some circumstances can force young players to forfeit games whether they want to or not. Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images Though Little League rules vary somewhat by state and jurisdiction, for the most part they mimic the rules of Major League Baseball. Unlike the pros, however, forfeited games in Little League are sometimes voluntary. Depending on the circumstances, different rules apply. Involuntary Forfeits Involuntary forfeits are generally due to an infraction of the rules, willfully or due to unfortunate circumstances. For instance, Little League teams must field nine players. If a team can’t, it must forfeit the game. A team may substitute a player from a different city or division to complete its roster, but a waiver must be filed before the game. If the team manager doesn’t file such a waiver, his team forfeits the game. Other involuntary forfeits might come about if a suspended player or coach appears in a game, or per MLB rules if a home team’s field is unsafe for play, and the team cannot or will not bring it up to standards before the start of the game.

Voluntary Forfeits In 2010, a Little League team in Hewlett, New York, made headlines when it voluntarily forfeited a playoff game scheduled for the same date as an important school affair when league officials would not cooperate with rescheduling. While the league was unforgiving, however, the New York Mets hosted the kids to a MLB game the following week against the Minnesota Twins, complete with up-close viewing of batting practice and meeting several of the players. Most voluntary forfeits are not quite so dramatic, however. At least one league in Canton, Ohio, does not allow Little Leaguers to voluntarily forfeit games at all and mandates cooperation between teams to ensure that makeup games are arranged when there is a scheduling conflict. Determination of Scores Major League Baseball awards a score of 9-0 to the wronged team if a game is forfeited due to rules violations. Little League District 55 in California awards a score of 7-0 to the offended team. A forfeited game counts against a team’s record as a loss. Final Decision Umpires cannot make the call for game forfeiture in Little League.

Though the umpire can request a forfeiture against a team, the final decision must come from the league’s board of directors,just as in Major League Baseball where an umpire must submit a written request and report to the league president. Related Searches Lose Weight. Feel Great Change your life with MyPlate by LIVESTRONG.COM GOAL Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week GENDER

Question: How is the score of a forfeited baseball game reported?
Answer: 9-0